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Design and molding considerations for optimizing optics

Makrolon® polycarbonate from Covestro is used for the complex Audi A8 headlamp assembly.

Covestro offers solutions to solve the challenges of LED lighting

Pittsburgh, March 24, 2016 — A lot of effort goes into creating today’s LED lighting solutions. Precise optical design and material selection are important to the success of LED optics. The proven track record of polycarbonate plastics in LED applications has made it a go-to material for engineers, designers and lighting manufacturers. Polycarbonate is especially useful for lighting applications requiring heat and impact resistance, flame retardance and excellent dimensional stability.

Despite polycarbonate’s many successes, the rapidly growing LEDs market has created new challenges. The hard work associated with the development and manufacturing of lighting optics can be offset by deficient part or mold design and improper processing.

Terry Davis, principal engineer, Covestro LLC, will discuss the design and molding considerations for optics during the Molding 2016 Conference & Exhibits March 29-31 in New Orleans. Davis will present “Challenges and Solutions for Polycarbonate Optics in Lighting” at 1:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 29 as part of the materials track.

Traditional polycarbonates are challenged to achieve sufficient transmission and component life with light exposure across the wavelength spectrum. Radiation in the 400-500 nm range – as generated by certain high-flux LEDs – can be absorbed by polycarbonate resulting in haze and yellowing. Similarly, long-term outdoor exposure to direct sunlight can lead to a loss of clarity over time.

While LED polycarbonate grades have inherently high transmission, they must be manufactured, and the performance of the final part is the sum of material, design and processing. Davis will explain mold and part design as well as processing practices to avoid degradation and achieve high-quality optics.

Conference visitors are welcome to attend the presentation to learn more about important design and molding considerations for the successful creation of optics in lighting.

About Covestro LLC:

Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business with 2015 sales of EUR 12.1 billion. Covestro manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical and sports and leisure industries. The Covestro group has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 15,800 people at the end of 2015.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available on the Covestro website at www.covestro.com. Covestro assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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